Saturday, March 26, 2011

Statement on TheTeaParty.net

JoinTheTeaParty.us, andTheTeaParty.net.There is apparently confusion between TPP and their organization and we are getting regular emails asking us if TPP is operating asTeaParty.netor JointheTeaParty.us.Numerous organizers have complained to us that their information is listed on those sites and that they cannot get it taken off despite repeated requests.Many of you have asked us if this organization is selling the data or allow advertisers to market to the data they collect.It now appears from the email below that theyareoffering their list to advertisers throughNewsMax

.So it seems that these websites are collecting data and donations from tea party supporters across the nation, and using the money they collect from donors to allow them to market more and collect more data which they make available to advertisers through NewsMax.

, announcing the availability of the list they have acquired from TheTeaParty.net (same as JointheTeaParty.us):

Dear ______,

Now Available: TheTeaParty.net E-mail List

TheTeaParty.net E-mail List - These opt-in subscribers share similar interests in reforming political parties, limiting government, and returning political power to the states and people. They are devoted to preserving our nation's core principles and supporting individual freedoms, personal responsibility, and free markets.

Take Advantage of this Opportunity to Reach a Highly Responsive Audience of 170,000!

Demographics:

Male 69% / Female 31%

50% Age 35-64

51% Retired

20% earn $100,000+ annually

29% have a Net Worth over $500,000

76% have purchased or used vitamins, supplements, health products, and prescription medicine within the past year.

79% donate to charities, 66% to religious organizations, and 62% to political causes

When advertising to TheTeaParty.net's list, you will reach a powerful demographic that finds significant importance in sustaining and enhancing their wealth, maintaining and improving their health, and keeping pace with a dynamic lifestyle.

Now is the time to test our new Exclusive list! Contact Your Account Executive for Rates!

Also, ask about other lists we have available:(Other, non-tea party lists omitted)

We are not aware of any other organization in the tea party movement that does this, and TPP has flatly rejected every offer to rent, borrow or use Tea Party Patriots' email list. We will continue to do so.

We are not trying to tell you whether or not your name should be on those lists, or whether or not you should donate to this organization. But based on all the questions you have asked us about these sites we felt it was important that we first and foremost remove any confusion and let you know that this group has nothing at all to do with Tea Party Patriots and that we never share our email list. Second, we felt it was important to inform you that we received the email above which makes it appear that TheTeaParty.net and JointheTeaParty.us are making personal data they collect from tea partiers available for use by advertisers.

We know that you take the protection of your personal data seriously, and Tea Party Patriots does too. We hope this information helps you to make the decisions you need to protect your own online data.

Tea Party Patriots, Inc. operates as a social welfare organization organized under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to Tea Party Patriots, Inc. are not deductible as charitable contributions for income tax purposes.